How to Break into the Lucrative World of Grant Writing

As a freelance writer, you’re likely constantly searching for well-paying, recurring gigs. But often the pickings are slim. You might feel stuck with one-off assignments that pay only meager returns.

That’s not the case with grant writing.

Why you should consider writing grants

Grant writers are in high demand for nonprofits hoping to raise money for operations, capital expenses, events, and programs. The work pays well: you can charge about $25 an hour starting out and work your way up to $100 an hour, though this will vary depending on where you live.

Even better? Often, nonprofits are looking to enter into long-term contracts with a reliable grant writer. They may have a large volume of grants due every month, so you can earn good, steady income – all while working from home. (Click to tweet this idea).

But how do you write a grant?

If you’ve never written a grant before, you should consider taking a course on grant writing and even earning your certification. Introductory grant writing courses are usually available at community colleges and universities, or you can find online training that will cover the basics over the course of just a few weeks.

From there, you may want to pursue a more strenuous course through the Grant Professionals Certification Institute. There are lots of certification programs out there, but this one is the most extensive and well respected.

I decided not to get certified because I felt I had significant experience in grant writing to launch my business, but if you’re just starting out, certification can help you gain credibility and overcome a limited background in this type of work.

Connect with organizations that rely on grants

One way is to start volunteering at a nonprofit — even if your tasks are nowhere near grant writing. Assist at fundraising auctions, help an office with data entry, join a board, work a phone bank, solicit event sponsorships — any of these options will help you get a foot in the door with a nonprofit.

Contributing your time to administrative and fundraising initiatives will help you see the inner workings of this type of organization, more so than direct-service volunteering. You’ll start to build connections as you build your business. Nonprofits often form a small, tight-knit community, so your volunteering will help get your name out there — and maybe even turn into a paying gig.

Find a fundraising community and build your network

Join your regional professional fundraisers organization or local nonprofit employee organization. Any professional organization along those lines that meets regularly is a good place for you to shop your services.

Other professional groups can be helpful, too. Maybe there’s a young professionals group that meets for cocktails and networking, or something similar. These won’t be as directly helpful as shaking hands directly with nonprofit professionals and other fundraisers, but it can’t hurt to get your name out there.

Establish your business

Make business cards, build a website, and add your grant writing work to your email signature; these are all great ways to create a legitimate business and to market your services effectively. And when you attend networking events, hand out as many business cards as you can.

I find that even though grant writing is a growing profession — especially among freelance writers — there’s still lots of room for more writers.

Consider volunteering your grant writing services to a local nonprofit as you’re starting out. While I wouldn’t recommend doing this for too long, it will help you build a solid portfolio. Having a few grants under your belt and a nonprofit or two to vouch for you will help you eventually sell your services as a paid grant writer.

Have you written grants before? Would you consider this kind of freelance writing?

Megan Hill is a freelance travel, food, features and grant writer. She splits her time between Seattle and New Orleans. If you’re looking for more one-on-one help getting started with your grant writing business, Megan offers personalized coaching sessions to problem-solve and brainstorm ways to bring in clients.

13 comments

I’ve written two grants and would like to learn more about grant writing. I love to research and write so it’s a good fit. Thanks for posting the link to the GPCI!

Some words of advice regarding volunteering with a nonprofit…

Make sure the nonprofit is run properly, like a business. You don’t want to walk into a situation where you begin to help with grant writing only to find out that you’re going to have to re-apply for the position, even if it’s a volunteer one. You may not be chosen to be the grant writer for the next year.

But…

If your grants are being approved for thousands of dollars, there should be no reason for you to re-apply. However, if bylaws weren’t properly written or established, you may have to re-signup to volunteer as a nonprofit’s grant writer. It is what it is.

Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is grant writing? Are you writing for NPOs applying for grants (but I would have thought this would be called something like “grant application writing”)? Or offering grants from benefactors? Or something else? To someone who has never heard of “grant writing” before the article leaves us guessing what it is.

Marjorie I actually just started an Advanced Grant Writing Program through Arizona State University just yesterday. The textbook we are using is “The Complete Book of Grant Writing” by Nancy Burke Smith, and E. Gabriel Works. I’m really enjoying my reading so far, and you might really find this book helpful when you are just getting into Grant Writing which is what I’m doing as I’m volunteering my time outside my normal job for a non-profit I recently helped find, and create.

I am a returning student after 40 years at Scottsdale Community College. Grant Writing appeals to me, I currently am finishing up my Associates. I am unclear where to go from here? I have read that I need a Bachelors Degree – was happy to see you have a program at ASU.

Thank you for this post. I began my grant writing business in 2014 and have volunteered with a couple of organizations but am still struggling to bring in business. My success rate is 95% and I feel I have found a career I truly love. Do you have any additional suggestions?

Do you think that getting a MA in grant writing is a horrible idea? Concordia University out of Chicago offers a MA in grant writing, management and evaluation – just got accepted and it seems to be a wonderful program. Can you google it and let me know what you think? Your honest opinion…..

Hello, I am not a writer but I am very interested in writing grants for non-profits or small businesses, and getting paid. I have volunteered for many years with grassroots organizations, but for free. Is there any special certification I should consider (besides the grant writing certification) to prepare myself for this kind of work? Would a certification from a grant writing course and experience in grassroots organization be sufficient for businesses to take me seriously?